2 Stroke Bikes

Heya Fellas, first new tread on here and the adrenalin is pumping

Basically i'm riding my little aprilia rs250 and every second minute something is going wrong with it.

My question is..
1) Are they much more unreliable than a regular 4 stroke bike?
2) Are they much more expensive to maintain than a regular bike?
3) Overall, are 2 strokes a good bike to own?

Thanks in advance

[Gordo]

Hi there dude, enjoy your first thread


1) Are they much more unreliable than a regular 4 stroke bike? YES
2) Are they much more expensive to maintain than a regular bike? IF THEY BREAK
3) Overall, are 2 strokes a good bike to own? ONLY TO TEACH YOU LOTS ABOUT KEEPING A TWO STROKE

two strokes are quicker than there equivlent sized fours but they are more work, but having said that they are much simpler to work on...

My 2 cents worth is - stick to a fours stroke, they usually start every time and break less plus they don't stink and go ning ning ning nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[Rob]

I like em

[basic]

I havent had mine very long but i love her, just awesome fun to ride.

the smell is great and she only nings when under powerband

[xavo]

gordo got it right the are a little more expensive to own but i believe that it is made up for in the fun you can have on them

[duffman]

id like to own a 2smoke.

simple to work on (but you work on them more often)
smell good
go faster
will rev till the cows come home

should have a 2 stroke bike in a week, albeit a little 49cc one

[Blade_954]

2-stroke for dirt...... 4-stroke for road.....

[imoXu]

I reckon 2 strokes are a good bike to learn on.

With the narrow power band you have to learn to watch your revs etc etc.

Teaches you a few riding skills.
Plus with all the greif the motor will have given you by the time you have a real licence you'll have more 'bike' experience than someone who got a brand new vtr250.

Anyway they are faster which outweighs anything else

mox

[shark]

[quote]
2-stroke for dirt...... 4-stroke for road.....


What he said........

[Mattis]

The main thing about 2 smokes (lol) is that they require a lot of maintenance and general care. I had a 93 RGV250 for over 18months and it didnt miss a beat. Mind you I ran only the best oil through it, changed the g/box every 2 months and cleaned/adjusted p/v's every month.

Stick with the RS, given it has the same engine as an RGV (with a better frame, brakes, suspension and tune) it should be a corker to ride. However you may find after a while u are revving the tits off it (to keep it in powerband) and it feels like its going nowhere (like i did), this is the sign to move to a bigger bike.

The RGV and RS250 are very underestimated, on a tight windy road they rule

Thats my 2c worth anyway

Well its certainly good to hear some good reports anyway.

Just got it back from a service today.. looks like ill be taking it in asap for a new chain/sprocket..
Can't blame the 2 "STROKE" engine for that one.. or can I

[FraG]

Originally posted by basic@Jan 19 2005, 01:37 PM
the smell is great and she only nings when under powerband*

[snapback]87361[/snapback]

Aww i remember that smell especially when you use the super high grade 2 stroker oil.

As for reliability etc, i don't think 2 strokes are that unreliable if serviced correctly and correct mixture is used in the engine so knowing the bikes history is important, also since they are bikes that need hammering 2 stroke riders always give their bikes that much more punishment. Having said that an expected life of a 2 stroke engine is almost half of a 4 stroke (from what I read) so expect a $900 rebuild at about 35000-45000kms.

[Maarken]

Pffttt 2-Stroke ...... Enough said .....

Annoying expensive lil bugga's, and they smell bad 2 .... And it's a 2fiddy ....

[aaargh1]

i love ringningers but my lifestyle does not permit them any more (maintainence)
some of the best road fun i have had in my life was on my kr1s and my rgv (yes i did have two)
i used to litterally ride them like motocross bikes on the road, other riders would always try to go ya, the stopping power is unbelievable b.l.a.t.
love being able to change ya line telepathically

the only reason the are just about dead is the emmissions. the are easy to repair (except the powervalves cost) generally basic technology, run reasonably cool. like on of the posts before said always change ya oils always get it over serviced and dont scrimp on the cost of theese oils either.....warm it up properly by heating the piston and barrell and it certainly can make a difference of a few ponies when riding which you can feel

just imagine mick doohan on a 750 or 1000 two stroke (kwakasami 750 widowmaker) rg 500 engine in a 97 rgv two fiddy body with long swingarm.
aaaahh the memories, the fun, the history.

sad to see them fased out but the world moves on.

love the prillas.

[sathid]

As for reliability etc, i don't think 2 strokes are that unreliable if serviced correctly and correct mixture is used in the engine so knowing the bikes history is important, also since they are bikes that need hammering 2 stroke riders always give their bikes that much more punishment. Having said that an expected life of a 2 stroke engine is almost half of a 4 stroke (from what I read) so expect a $900 rebuild at about 35000-45000kms.

probably the best comment here.
Two strokes are simpler, they are CHEAPER to repair (most people here would probably get a wrecked engine before having a full rebuild on a 4cyl four stroke) and you can do most work on your own.
If you go for the older two strokes then rebuilds are cheaper, since you can just have the barrels rebored and go for oversized pistons. with newer bikes require the bores to be replated with nicasil or whatever which is around $400 a bore in some places.
that said, they do require careful maintenance (use good oils, check the plugs occasionally, and give them a good thrashing as often as possible.)
and you need to make sure they are jetted properly etc.
They are lots of fun, and they leave thier equal capacity four stroke bretheren for dead.
go for a ride on a cbr250rr, and you'll know why your riding an rs.
That said, pretty much the biggest common stroker around is a 350, with the occasional 500 and rare 750 kawaka's (old) so once it's time to upgrade then theres only one way to go.
v-twin four stroke

my 2c

heard an rgv 250 at the pub on friday night. spoke to the owner. was kinda dissapointed by the sound at idle. lacks the "ning ning" that mine has. If u r on here buddy, you need some new pipes heh

[CRB]

my rgv has never missed a beat, awesome little bike and great fun to ride i wouldnt trade it for a 4 stroke 250. However after a while they get a little annoying to ride and you wish you had something easier to ride. but still i love mine. I only use the best oils and give the bike a good once over every month just to make sure all i in order.

and mine starts first kick every time...

2 stroke is great

[ChildOf*RGV]

Originally Posted by Maarken

Pffttt 2-Stroke ...... Enough said .....

Annoying expensive lil bugga's, and they smell bad 2 .... And it's a 2fiddy ....

smell B A D !!??? you are dreaming my friend! Nothing better than the smell of two-stroke on full noise...

[nath]

Holy thread resurrection...